Syracuse council looks to increase spending by $2 million

Jim Commentucci / The Post-StandardLois Dwyer, of Syracuse, and Syracuse city budget director Mary Vossler, right, are among those in attendance at a city council budget hearing Wednesday at City Hall in Syracuse.

SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Members of the Common Council said they will propose spending $2 million more than Mayor Stephanie Miner recommended in her 2012-2013 city budget because they expect sales tax revenues to exceed Miner’s estimate.

Councilors today said they had not decided how to use the extra funds. Before allocating the money, they said they would consider comments made at a 6 p.m. public hearing, which attracted roughly 50 residents to city hall tonight.

“This is money that was unanticipated, but is based in reality,” said Councilor Kathleen Joy, who chairs the finance committee. “It’s a good thing.”

Miner’s chief of staff, Bill Ryan, said spending more money “is not a prudent decision” even if more sales tax revenues materialize.

E.J. McMahon, senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute, a conservative think tank, agreed. McMahon, who spoke with representatives from Miner’s office Wednesday, said a financially strapped city like Syracuse, which is balancing the budget with a one-shot infusion of $21 million in extra state aid, should salt away any extra money for the expected tough times ahead.

“The last thing you ought to be doing if you’ve got some found money, while you’re deep in the hole, is to spend it,” McMahon said. “To use a highly technical term, it’s crazy.”

But councilors heard plenty of pleas at Wednesday’s hearing to spend money, especially for better education of young children and better recreation services for the elderly.

Of the roughly two dozen people who addressed the council, nearly all stressed one of two issues: bringing back the Ida Benderson Senior Center and enhancing pre-kindergarten programs.

Parents, teachers and others pleaded with the councilors to add funding for pre-K. Superintendent Sharon Contreras has said there are no plans to cut pre-K services next year, but many speakers said funding should be increased to make the program available to more kids.

Carol Simson, who has taught pre-K for 35 years, said early education boosts students’ success throughout life. “I’ve been through generations,” she said. “I’ve seen them graduate from college.”

Jim Commentucci / The Post-StandardLois Dwyer, of Syracuse, greets her neighbor Denise Nepveux, of Syracuse, after speaking in favor of a senior center at a city council budget hearing Wednesday at City Hall in Syracuse.

Miner closed the popular Benderson center in October, saying the city could no longer afford it and that participants could get similar services at the Salvation Army several blocks away.

Since then, a group of former Benderson regulars has met weekly in hopes of reviving a downtown recreation center for seniors. Wearing nametags saying “I’m with Ida,” they came out in force for the budget hearing.

“I’m asking you to please help us get another place downtown,” said John Shepard, echoing comments by others.

Councilors will likely unveil their proposed amendment to Miner’s $662 million budget as early as today. They must vote by May 8.

Councilor Lance Denno, majority leader, said lawmakers consulted with County Comptroller Robert Antonacci, who estimated that the city will take in $77.5 million in sales tax next year, $4 million more than anticipated in Miner’s budget. Denno said the council will propose using half of the expected increase, to be conservative.

The mayor’s sales tax projection came from a budget analysis last fall by Onondaga County, which collects sales tax and distributes it. Antonacci said Miner’s estimate was reasonable but quite conservative, and he believes the city can safely plan on more revenues. So far this calendar year, sales tax collections are up 7.8 percent from 2011, he said.